Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that using low-intensity electric pulses on tumors might make them easier for the immune system to attack.
While strong electric pulses have already been used in cancer treatment to destroy tumors directly, this new study shows that gentler pulses can prepare the body’s natural defenses to do the job more effectively.
The research team, based at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, used a type of treatment known as high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE). This treatment usually uses intense electrical pulses to kill cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue.
However, in this study, the scientists used a lower-intensity version, called sub-ablative H-FIRE, to see how it would affect the area around the tumor rather than destroy it immediately.
What they found was surprising. Even though the tumor cells weren’t killed right away, the environment around the tumor changed quickly. Within just one day of treatment, there was an increase in blood vessel growth inside the tumor.
By the third day, there was also a rise in lymphatic vessel growth. These vessels are important for guiding immune cells around the body and helping them reach areas where they are needed, such as cancer sites.
The study was done using mice with breast cancer, and the results were published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. The researchers closely examined the blood and lymph vessels around the tumor and in nearby lymph nodes to understand how they responded to the treatment.
The key takeaway is that these gentle electric pulses seem to reshape the tumor environment. Instead of destroying the tumor right away, they create conditions that may attract more immune cells to the area. This could lead to a more effective immune response, helping the body fight cancer in a more natural way.
According to Dr. Jennifer Munson, who led the study, these changes in the tumor’s blood and lymph systems might improve how the immune system recognizes and attacks cancer. “One key change is an increase in signals that may direct immune cells toward the tumor through the lymphatic system,” she explained.
This approach could be important for combining with other cancer treatments. For example, doctors might use sub-ablative H-FIRE first to “soften up” the tumor, then apply other therapies like immunotherapy or chemotherapy for a stronger effect.
The lymphatic system, which has not been as well-studied as blood vessels in cancer treatment, plays a big role in how the body responds to disease. By encouraging growth and activity in this system, the treatment may open new doors for helping the body’s natural defenses do their job better.
The researchers plan to continue their work by studying how these vessel changes affect immune cell activity in more detail. They also want to test how well this method works when combined with other cancer-fighting strategies.
In summary, this study suggests that instead of just blasting tumors with high-intensity treatments, using lower electric pulses may actually prepare the body to fight cancer more effectively. It’s like setting the stage for a battle, giving the immune system better access and more support to win the fight.
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The research findings can be found in Annals of Biomedical Engineering.
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